TYPES OF BRACES FOR ADULTS
Orthodontic tools work amazingly in the treatment of numerous conditions in both adults and children. However, braces near me are still considered the most effective orthodontic treatment. Unlike earlier, today’s variety of braces is expansive and multi-purposeful. In order for you to choose the best types of orthodontist braces for adults, read on to learn the options you have.
7 Common Types of Braces for Adults
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Standard Braces / Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional braces are worn by both children and adults. Among all types of braces, standard braces are the most popular. They are comprised of metal brackets and wires which align the teeth in their respective place. Although metal braces underwent plenty of upgrading, today’s devices are tinier and fit the mouth in a more favorable manner. What is more, standard braces also have archwires which move the teeth around easier and less painfully.
The best thing about wearing metal braces is that they are not as expensive, have differently colored ties/elastics, and show lasting effects on the teeth.
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Ceramic Braces / Clear Braces
One of the more used types of braces are ceramic material braces. While these are similar to metal braces, they fit the teeth more naturally. Ceramic braces usually are tooth-colored and come with transparent ceramic brackets. Because of this, they are less noticeable than metal braces. Another advantage of ceramic braces is their ability to move teeth around faster than similar aligners. As one of the cons, ceramic braces are more expensive than metal braces and demand constant brushing and flossing.
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Lingual Braces
Among all types of braces, lingual braces are most alike metal braces. The only difference between the two is that metal braces are visible and lingual braces are applied on the inside. Lingual braces impact a variety of conditions, such as misaligned teeth and special issues in the jaw. At the same time, lingual braces are less visible than traditional braces and are custom made for each patient. Due to their uniqueness, lingual braces cost more than standard braces.
As with the other types of braces, you will have to wear retainers after the lingual braces treatment is complete. Retainers are usually worn for 8 hours per day minimum. One disadvantage in these braces is cleaning them properly, as they are placed on the inside of your teeth. Also, these braces are not recommended as a regular treatment, and patients tend to wear them longer.
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Invisalign
Out of all types of braces, Invisalign is among the best alternative to metal or Damon braces. Invisalign is an orthodontic tool, comprised of 18-30 custom-made aligners for your teeth. The device itself looks like a mouth guard, or what athletes wear during games. Invisalign are mobile and very easy to maintain. Still, the aligners need to be changed every two weeks while actively using them. With this, new aligners impact the teeth even better and accelerate the treatment. In some cases, Invisalign are worn as an after-treatment to your standard braces procedure. Mostly, Invisalign are worn to support the teeth after another treatment has taken place.
Another great thing about wearing Invisalign is that patients can eat whatever they want, as the tool is made of high-grade stainless steel. At the same time, this type of braces is not recommended for more severe cases and/or children.
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Self-ligating Braces
In time, self-ligating braces have become among one of the options for types of braces. One of the reasons this is so is because self ligating braces offer no color ties. They have metal gates that close and open to keep the archwires in place. At the same time, patients still have to make regular dental or orthodontist appointments. One example is Damon braces which are also self-ligating or ligating braces, which rely on a mechanism to work properly. In such way, the device avoids the use of elastics attached to the archwires altogether but the braces are bigger.
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Smile Direct
Not the most popular of all types of braces, Smile Direct clear aligners are usually made for very minimal tooth movement. The major disadvantage that this type of braces is that they not controlled by an orthodontist near me during your progress aligner changes. There are instances where the predicted outcome doesn’t match with the final result and patients need more orthodontic treatment. This could be time-consuming and costly.
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Palatal Expander Type Appliances
When it comes to teeth overcrowding, there are two possible treatment routes. The first is tooth extraction, and the second is wearing a palatal expander. Modern-day technology steers clear of tooth extraction, which gives palatal expanders the chance to do their job right. The expander itself can be worn with other types of braces.
How much do different types of braces cost?
The cost of your braces will depend on your particular cases as well as the type of device you have to wear. Typically, an orthodontic treatment can cost between $2,500 and $6,000. In addition, Invisalign treatment costs from $3,000 to $8,000, depending on the number of teeth the device treats. Depending on how long you should wear your braces, consult your orthodontist on insurance coverage policies.
How can I help my braces treatment?
In some patients, there are ways to stimulate the effects that all types of braces deliver. For instance, some patients wear trays, placed in the mouth for about 20 minutes. These trays are placed directly over the braces or aligners, thus increasing their effect. The trey creates a vibrating sensation directly on the teeth, which accelerates the braces treatment for up to 50 percent.
The Propel treatment
When it comes to Proper treatment, your orthodontist will install a thin probe through your gums and into the bone. For that, the doctor will have to circle the tooth in 2-3 places. Propel works great with braces as it uses the tissue while the teeth move around. Propel treatment works best in patients who wear standard braces or aligners. Usually, the treatment lasts 6-8 weeks and speeds up the overall orthodontic treatment time.
Supplemental Content
Are you looking to learn about different types of braces? If you are considering dental braces or Invisalign braces to help you or your child get a more confident or healthier smile, Ivanov Orthodontic Experts has different types of braces that can work for you, whether you prefer an almost invisible orthodontic solution or a faster treatment time. The American Dental Association recommends an orthodontic exam as early as the age of 7. The earlier we see you or your child, typically, the more options we will have for treatment if braces/Invisalign or treatment is needed.
METAL BRACES – IMPROVED CHOICE FOR CONFIDENT SMILE
They are the most common choice for teenagers and adults. The metal braces are the original braces. Now, with the advancement of technology, they are the smallest, very well-polished, and strongest of all the types of braces colors. They have color ties that go on top of them to hold the wire. The big advantage of conventional braces is that they work even for the hardest, most difficult cases.
CLEAR BRACES – ALMOST INVISIBLE WAY TO STRAIGHTEN TEETH
They are a common choice for adults who want to be discreet about teeth straightening and getting a nice, beautiful smile. They’re made of ceramic, which is a type of tooth-colored material, and they’re almost invisible. They can be used with tooth-colored ties for a discreet appearance. Ceramic braces are highly aesthetic and are a great option for adults
Invisalign is a common choice for adults who want virtually invisible straightening of teeth and less frequent visits to the orthodontist.
They provide a series of very thin and almost invisible trays that apply gentle pressure to your teeth to move them in the desired direction. The system uses computer-generated 3D-imaging technology to show you a movie from the current position of your teeth to your future beautiful radiant smile. Clear aligners, Invisalign, is virtually invisible, and your friends may not even notice that you are straightening your teeth. Sure, you can surprise them.
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LINGUAL BRACES (INCOGNITO) – THE TOP OPTION
They are the most aesthetic choice for adults because the braces are inside the mouth on the backside of the teeth. There are many companies that make lingual braces and currently the most common, with the most advanced features in lingual braces, is called “Incognito”. They make gold-colored, individually made braces specifically for the anatomy of your teeth that go on the inside of your teeth. Incognito company utilizes state-of-the-art CAD/CAM technology for customization and prescription adjustments of the braces leading to more predictable results for you. The wires are specifically robotically bent for your orthodontic treatment plan so that at each step of your treatment precision is maximized and you get your dream smile within the least number of visits. You are probably asking yourself, What is the catch? Can it be the cost? The cost is a big one, the investment for highly customized incognito lingual braces can be anywhere from 2 – 3 times the investment cost of conventional braces. If you are a candidate and you move forward with getting the lingual braces, your orthodontist will go into detail about proper care of the appliance.
TADS
Unlike other orthodontic appliances, TADS (Temporary Anchorage Devices) help achieve tooth movements that in some cases would be otherwise impossible. TADS have been used in orthodontics for over three decades. When used in the mouth, they provide an anchorage point for a pushing or pulling force that must otherwise be applied from outside the mouth. Therefore, a headgear can be avoided in certain cases. Wearing a headgear can be an uncomfortable and traumatizing experience. Often, TADS can eliminate the use of headgear; this advancement in technology is appreciated by many patients.
TADS are very small. They are placed temporarily in the mouth and removed once desired improvement has been achieved and they are not needed. They usually remain in place for some months of treatment. TADS act like a door handle that can be used to push or pull on a tooth that is difficult to move.
Using TADS provides other benefits to the patients such as: It may eliminate the need to wear rubber bands, it could shorten the treatment time by a significant amount, and in most extreme cases, it could help reduce the chances of surgery. TADS are appliances used concurrently with braces or Invisalign that help patients get the most balance in their new smiles.
DENTO-FACIAL ORTHOPEDICS
“Orthopedics” plainly means bone changes. When there is a skeletal imbalance, treatment may require orthopedics at the appropriate age. Sometimes, treatment requires both orthodontics and orthopedics at the appropriate age. If the child has a narrow top jaw viewed from the side or a deficient top jaw viewed from the front when compared to the bottom jaw, the best time for treatment would be at early age because the bones are softer and are more moldable, leading to a reduced chance of surgery in the future.
Orthopedics can be explained in this way: if a child is sucking their thumb for periods, it produces bone changes. In some instances, there is also tooth movement. Essentially, the child is doing his or her own orthodontics and orthopedics combined because of these habits. It is not unusual for orthopedic treatment to precede conventional braces at a young age with the goal of proper guidance of facial growth and development.
TEETH WHITENING
Teeth whitening can be done before, during, or after orthodontic treatment. Some teeth whitening products contain PF (potassium nitrate and fluoride), which helps to reduce sensitivity. In addition, studies have found that this fluoride addition helps to strengthen the enamel. If you have braces, you don’t have to wait for a whiter smile. Literature has shown that hydrogen peroxide whitening works as peroxide penetrates the tooth and spreads throughout, so even the part of your tooth covered by the bracket could whiten with time. The cleansing effect of peroxide is well-known, and it can remove bacteria from around your teeth, gums, and orthodontic appliances. With advancement of teeth whitening products, whitening time can vary from 30 minutes to overnight, depending on manufacturers’ instruction and concentrations.
